Put Another One On

Dress: thrifted * Skirt, layered under dress: American Eagle, remixed * Scarf: Target, remixed * Booties: Dolce Vita for Target, remixed * Sunnies: vintage, remixed

I love these photos, you guys. One of my favorite things about Joe and my new setup is that now we have a whole new city to explore. And the amount of fabulous green space we're finding is so fantastic. I've showcased the woods near Joe's place in a number of photoshoots now (I'm thinking of doing a roundup of the pictures after all the leaves fall to see how the woods changed over the course of autumn), but I feel like we've barely scratched the surface when it comes to awesome natural areas. The best part is that they're all walking distance from home (some are literally across the street).

We've been getting into a routine, that I'd very much like to continue, of taking long walks together before I have to drive home on Sunday. It usually starts with my desire to get some outfit shots in the woods, and often turns into a wonderful exploratory romp through the trails and hills near Joe's home. This Sunday involved Indian burial grounds, a community garden, woodpeckers, and getting somewhat lost. It was lovely.

It's been nice to have these weekends away, even though it's a bit exhausting to be constantly on the go, because it gives me a chance to get away from the city for awhile. I have so much going on right now, and I spend at least 12 hours a day doing something on the computer, so it's a bit of a relief to get to explore little cattail marshes and walking paths that feel like a lifetime away from the busy noise of Chicago. I do adore Chicago, and it's been a wonderful home, but it's not a particularly relaxing space for me.

I feel much more at home in open spaces, where I can see stars at night and hear birds and bugs and little forest animals in the woods. Waking up to chirping in the mornings has been one of my favorite parts about my weekends lately, and one that I didn't realize I was missing in Chicago. It's nice having little things like that in my mini-getaways. With all that's going on right now, and all the deadlines and projects and stress that I'm facing in other parts of my life, it's so rewarding to get to escape to a world that is less driven by timelines and goals, and more driven by seasons and sunlight.

Title song: Laura Barrett, "Escape to the Sun Dome"